Packers 24 Bears 20
The American Professional Football Association was founded in 1920. A year
later the Decatur Staleys moved to Chicago, becoming the Bears in 1922. Meanwhile
a small team from a meat packing company in Green Bay, Wisconsin that was formed
in 1919 joined the new league in 1921. The two teams became instant rivals
and the bedrock foundation of the league that would become the NFL. The two have
remained rivals for 90 years meeting 181 times. On Sunday they will meet for
again, in the biggest game in the history of the rivalry; at stake a trip to Super
Bowl XLV in Dallas.

In just their second playoff match up ever
and the first since 1941 the Bears will play host hoping to slow down the red
hot Packers offense which lit up Atlanta like General Sherman. The two split their
two games this season, with the Bears winning at home earlier in the season
while the Packers won in Green Bay to finish the regular season and secure the
final spot in the playoffs. That game in Green Bay was a battle of defensive wills
as the Bears who had nothing to play for held Aaron Rodgers in check most
of the game, as the Packers won 10-3.

It won't be shocking to see the
game go the same way, as both teams defenses are playing well. However, the
Packers finding a running game in the playoffs has helped open lanes for Rodgers
and only made the Packers offense stronger. The Packers would be hard pressed
to match what they did last week, especially on the less than idea field in Chicago.
Though with the Packers defense also playing on a high level they won't
have to. The game will be close and tight through out, but in the end it's the
Packers who have more weapons and a deeper stronger team who will prevail.

Steelers 14 Jets 10
Here the Jets are again, on another amazing playoff run. Quarterback Mark Sanchez
in just his second NFL season has already tied the record for career playoff
wins on the road. This time they are hoping to add one more game as they face
the Steelers for the right to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLV in Dallas.

This is a rematch of a game in December from Week 15; in the game
the Jets won 22-17 earning their first win ever in the Steel City. In that game
the Jets jumped out early on a 97 yard kick return by Brad Smith on the opening
kick off and held on late repelling a late drive by the Steelers. That game
was a must win for the Jets who entered with two straight painful losses to the
Patriots and Dolphins. The Jets enter this time with wins over the Colts who eliminated
them last year and the Patriots who beat them in December 45-3.

Things
are also different for the Steelers who have not lost since than,
and have smoked the Panthers, Browns and Ravens. The Steelers are also healthier
this time around as Troy Polamalu who missed that game on December 19th is expected
to start this time around. Without Polamalu the Steelers are 6-7, when
he plays they are 16-4. The Steelers have one of the best run defenses in the NFL
adding Polamalu at safety allows them to add more pressure up front, as the
All-Pro safety covers much of the field. This is bad news for the Jets who helped
establish ground and pound in the first two rounds.
The Steelers offense
also has their problems with injuries to the line, and Ben Roethlisberger will
need plenty of time to find an open receiver against the Jets secondary. It
should be close again, with defense dominating throughout. However, at the end
of the day the home crowd, the hair of Troy and the terrible towels will be too
much to overcome as the Steelers head off to their eight Super Bowl appearance.